Francewithfive

We take off for Italy in a couple of weeks with our three kids (ages 5,10,12). It's our second trip with them to Italy but these cities are all new.
Our three spots are: Positano for 5 days, Ostuni for 7, Rome for 5.
We are looking for not-to-miss restaurants, markets, farms, etc. since Italy is ALL about eating!!! And wine of course.
We love local spots a bit off the tourist path, fresh ingredients, great atmosphere. Unique experiences are always welcome.
We have a car everywhere except Rome and love to do some day trips from our home bases.
I have a birthday to celebrate in Rome so a special spot for dinner would be much appreciated. We are staying close to the Colosseum.
Grazie!

Blueeyedcod

You have a car in Positano in JULY? That won't be fun. I hope your place of residence has parking.

As for restaurants in Positano I would definitely head to La Tagliata (reservations required), Saraceno D'Oro, the Hotel Pupetto Beach Bar on Fornillo Beach and Bar Bruno. There are many other choices in Positano as well but I tend to drift back to the same ones year after year.

Rome - I love a cocktail at cafe Night & Day which is right in front of the Pantheon. That would be a special spot for your birthday - watch the sun set, the people come and go and the buskers. It's a lovely atmosphere.

Francewithfive

Blueeyedcod, I know, a car in Positano is insane but our apartment has free parking and it was the most economical way to make our trip work. Round trip car rental from FCO was half the price of picking it up when we left Positano and returning it to FCO at the end of our trip. Plus we were going to have to pay for a train to Naples and a transfer to Positano.
Thanks for the restaurant suggestions. I will check them out online. Much appreciated.

Blueeyedcod

Just so you know that if you choose to use the car for day trips on the Amalfi Coast, you won't get on-street parking anywhere - you will have to use a parking garage and they charge around 30-40 euro per hour. I presume you're just using the car to get to and from Positano and not day tripping in it? Also be aware of ZTL zones in Sorrento if you're planning on going there. Don't forget to add the cost of gasoline/petrol which is much more expensive than the USA if you're from there, and tolls which are numerous and very expensive as well.
If you love your wine, the BAC in Italy is .05 so best not drive if you want to enjoy lunch out somewhere.
Anyway, am sure you've looked into all of this - just making doubly sure you know what you're in for. Traffic in July is gridlocked much of the time and you will have to back up to allow enormous tourist coaches to pass etc. etc.

sandralist

How about taking the kids to the buffalo farm/mozzarella makers near Paestum, and see Paestum in the bargain? You can do a few google searches and find out all the details. Vannulo is the famous one.

If it is really all about the food, your kids and you might enjoy touring a pasta factory. This is the area where machine-made dry pasta shapes were invened -- wagon wheels, radiators, seashells, shirtsleeves, pens, 3 foot long spaghetti -- I think this place is open for tours all the time

http://www.pastificiodeicampi.it/en/

Don't forget to eat sfogliatelle, which are the specialty pastry of the Conca dei Marini in the Amalfi (although you will find everywhere along the coast). If your family is really adventurous, head down the coast to Cetara and eat anchovy-sauced pasta. Make a stop at Vetri sul Mare at the ceramic factories.

Birthday in Rome? Kid or adult? Might take a look at Open Colonna for something unusual.

ekc

Lo Guaracino has excellent pizza and views in Positano. It is on the path to Fornillo Beach.

If you spend a day on the main beach, you can get pizza and wine (or soda) at L'Incanto to eat at your beach chairs.

Since you are in Pos for 5 days, I would second the day trip to Paestum and the Vannulo mozzarella farm. Get there early though, as they sell out.

I like getting food from Latteria or Delicatessen to eat on my balcony while watching the boats come in.

raincitygirl

When you are in Ostuni you might be interested to visit an olive farm and learn about olive oil etc. There is a tasting at the end.

It is called Masseria Brancati. www.masseriabrancati.com

We had such an interesting tour there in October, the farm has been in the same family for 200 years and the owner has kept all kinds of old implements etc and takes you not only through the olive grove but through the old buildings and has such great stories to tell.

Oh and on the Amalfi definitely eat sfogliatelle as Sandra says.My husband was eating 2 or 3 per day, they are delicious. In Amalfi ( the town itself) we liked Pasticceria Pansa Andrea which is right on the Piazza Duomo. Delicious pastries. More expensive to sit down, so eat standing at the bar if you want to save money.
We splurged and sat outside and people watched. Fun.

Francewithfive

Thank you for the fabulous suggestions. I will bring them all with me. Mozzarella, olive oil, sfogliatelle are all right up our alley. Thank you everyone for taking the time to give me some words of wisdom.